Prime Minister Michel Barnier addressed parliament on Tuesday afternoon as he outlined his government’s policy programme. The priority, explained Barnier, was to tackle France’s ‘colossal’ debt of 3.2 trillion (£2.7 trillion) euros, which has left the Republic with the ‘sword of Damocles hanging over the head of France and every French person’.
The gravity of the crisis still doesn’t seem to be getting through to many MPs, who continue to behave like spoiled brats
Barnier declared his intention to reduce the public deficit from 6 per cent of GDP to 5 per cent by next year, and to 3 per cent by 2029 – two years beyond the 2027 deadline imposed by the EU.
There were also pledges, without going into specifics, to address the twin crises of mass immigration and insecurity, which, like spending, has been allowed to spiral out of control under President Macron.
One suspects that Barnier has been shocked by the levels of incompetency he has encountered in Macron’s administration since his appointment last month.
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